Father John Misty – I Love You, Honeybear

February 14, 2015

Fear Fun was one of my favorite albums of the last ten years so it’s follow-up has big shoes to fill. I Love You, Honeybear is a much subtler offering that takes a few listens to reveal its brilliance, but it is a worthy successor.

Father John Misty is still channeling a Laurel Canyon vibe with Van Dyke Parks grandeur. Songs are beautifully and richly arranged to slightly disguise wonderfully twisted lyrics (e.g. Mascara, blood, ash, and cum on the Rorschach sheets where we make love). Father John Misty is in love, but he has not lost his bite.

I first listened this album on Spotify and I thought it a bit ho-hum. I listened to it several more times (out of reverence to Fear Fun) and it started to grab me. But it was not until I listened to the LP (regular edition) that the music really popped. I have not had the privilege of listening to it on CD or high def so I don’t know if it is just the inadequacy of lo rez streams or digital mix in general. The LP is at 45 RPM for maximum vinyl sonic experience. It sounds grand and you get to really sink you head into the lush pillow of Father John Misty and all his grand ambitions (stings, harps, horns, searing electric guitar, etc.).

If you dig well crafted folk pop with laced with dark twisted fantasies I Love You, Honeybear is for you (think Joni Mitchell, a splash of Brian Wilson and a twist of Kanye West). .